Families are a mystery. Is everyone’s as complicated as ours? Is there such a thing as a ‘normal’ one? We generally only get to see the polished exteriors and are left to imagine what might be going on behind closed doors. Here is a book that takes us on a tour around the reality of families.

It provides a rare, privileged glimpse into private realms, allowing us a new, profound understanding of ourselves and others. Comprised of 60 interviews and portraits captured by five supremely talented photographers – Mark Hobbs, Kate Peters, Marjolaine Ryley, Michelle Sank and Naomi Williams – the book introduces us to an extraordinary array of participants: new parents, stepchildren, siblings, the wealthy and the marginalised, the old and the young. What surfaces is the astounding diversity of family life – and the number of commonalities too.

Above all, we recognise the fundamental role that family plays in making us who we are. This is a book for anyone who has ever wondered about their family or fantasised about being part of someone else’s – in short, this is a book for us all.